Plastic toys that were given out by a cleaning company as free gifts are being recalled, after the authorities found they contained unsafe amounts of a chemical compound.

Following a consumer complaint about the inflatable ride-on toys, which come in the shape of cows, deer and ponies, national standards and accreditation body Spring Singapore sent samples of the toy for testing.

They were found to contain unsafe levels of phthalates, commonly used to increase the flexibility and durability of plastics.

Spring said Aura Roboclean Singapore, the cleaning firm that gave out the toys, is contacting customers given the toys to stop using them and to either dispose of them immediately, or return them to the company. Between 300 and 400 of the toys have been given out.